Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of eight miniature dress medals worn by Lieutenant J. Maxwell, V.C., M.C. and Bar, D.C.M., 18th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Victoria Cross, reverse of cross privately engraved ‘3 Oct 1918’, year partially corrected, reverse of suspension bar privately engraved ‘Lt. J. Maxwell’; Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, reverse of cross privately engraved ‘Lt. J. Maxwell’; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (J. Maxwell) privately engraved naming; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn on old and faded ribbons, generally good very fine (8) £2,000-£3,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Warwick Cary.

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V.C. London Gazette 6 January 1919:
‘For most conspicuous bravery and leadership in attack on the Beaurevoir-Fonsomme line near Estrees, North of St. Quentin, on the 3 October 1918.
His company commander was severely wounded early in the advance, and Lieutenant Maxwell at once took charge. The enemy wire when reached under intense fire was found to be exceptionally strong and closely supported by machine guns, whereupon Lieutenant Maxwell pushed forward single-handed through the wire and captured the most dangerous gun, killing three and capturing four enemy. He thus enabled his company to penetrate the wire and reach the objective. Later, he again dashed forward and silenced, single-handed, a gun which was holding up a flank company. Subsequently, when with two men only he attempted to capture a strong party of the enemy, he handled a most involved situation very skilfully, and it was due to his resource that he and his comrades escaped.
Throughout the day Lieutenant Maxwell set a high example of personal bravery, coupled with excellent judgement and quick decision.’

M.C. London Gazette 13 May 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While in command of a patrol he observed a party of about fifty of the enemy entering a disused trench. He attacked them with bombs and rifle fire, and then assaulted the position and captured a prisoner. He showed splendid initiative and determination.’

M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 3 June 1919:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the advance at Rainecourt on 9th August 1918. Within thirty minutes of zero he was the only officer left with his company, but kept his men well in hand, notwithstanding machine gun fire, besides fire from an anti-tank gun and a battery of 77 mm. He was close to a tank which was struck by a shell and set on fire, and, though shaken by the explosion, he rushed to the doors and opened them in time for the crew to escape. He showed a fine example of courage and presence of mind.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 June 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This warrant officer took command of a platoon, and led it forward with great dash. On one of our strong points being heavily barraged, he went forward on his own initiative, and moved the men forward clear of the barrage, during which operations only one casualty was sustained. The action of this warrant officer undoubtedly saved many lives. Throughout the operations he carried out his duties with great skill and was a source of great inspiration by his splendid example.’

Joseph Maxwell, often claimed to be the second most decorated Australian soldier of the Great War, was born on 10 February 1896 at Annandale, Sydney and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 8 February 1915. He was posted to the 18th Battalion and served at Gallipoli before proceeding with his battalion to France in March 1916.

‘In September 1917, during the 3rd battle of Ypres, Maxwell took command of a platoon after its officer had been killed and led it in the attack. Later he safely extricated men from a newly captured position under intense enemy fire. For this action he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and a few days later was commissioned in the field as second lieutenant; he was promoted lieutenant in January 1918. In March he led a scouting patrol east of Ploegsteert and after obtaining the required information ordered his men to withdraw. He was covering them when he saw a large party of Germans nearby. Recalling the patrol, he organised and led a successful attack, an action for which he was awarded the Military Cross.
In August, during the offensive near Rainecourt, Maxwell, the only officer in his company who was not a casualty, took command and, preceded by a tank, led his men into the attack on time. The tank received a direct hit and Maxwell, although shaken by the explosion, rescued the crew before the tank burst into flames. He continued the attack and the company reached its objective. He was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross.
Maxwell was awarded the Victoria Cross after an attack on the Beaurevoir-Fonsomme line near Estrées on 3 October. After his company commander was wounded he took charge. Reaching the strong enemy wire under intense fire, he pushed forward alone through a narrow passageway in the wire and captured the most dangerous machine-gun, disposing of the crew. His company was thus able to penetrate the wire and take the objective. Shortly afterwards, again single-handed, he silenced a machine-gun holding up a flank company. Later, with two men and an English-speaking prisoner, he encouraged about twenty Germans in a nearby post to surrender, and in doing so was briefly captured himself. Awaiting his opportunity, he drew a pistol concealed in his respirator haversack, killed two of the enemy and escaped with his men under heavy rifle-fire. He then organised a party and captured the post.
In just over twelve months Maxwell was awarded the D.C.M., the M.C. and Bar and the V.C., and he was only 22 when the war ended. After returning to Australia in 1919 he worked in a variety of occupations in Sydney, Canberra and New South Wales country towns... In 1932, helped by Hugh Buggy, Maxwell published the very successful Hell's Bells and Mademoiselles, an account of the war as he saw it... On 6 July 1967 Maxwell collapsed and died of a heart attack in a street in his home suburb of Matraville.’ (Australian Dictionary of Biography refers).

The lot is sold with a signed, letter headed card from Russell N. Crook, O.A.M., Q.P.M., President, Paddington-Woollahra R.S.L. Sub-Branch and President, Paddington/Woollahra R.S.L. Memorial Club Co-operative Ltd.
The card, dated 2 December 1981 states:

‘Dear Mr. Carey [sic],
This document is to certify that a set of miniature medals, including those representative of:-
1. The Victoria Cross
2. The Military Cross and Bar
3. World War I Campaign Star and Medals
4. D.C.M.
5. Coronation Medal (King George VI)
6. Coronation Medal (Elizabeth R II)
were the personal medals owned by Lieutenant J. Maxwell awarded him during service in World War I and at the time of the Coronations referred to above.
These medals were given to me personally by him immediately prior to his demise.
R.N. Crook’

For the recipient’s British War Medal, see Lot 13.

Note: This lot is available for viewing in Swanbourne, Western Australia, by appointment with our Australasian representative, John Burridge.